A former aide at the state school for the severely handicapped has been found guilty of sexually abusing a student.

Robbie Gene Skokowski, 49, of Eldon, was charged with statutory sodomy in 2009. Skokowski is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 4 in Miller County Circuit Court.

The verdict was handed down on Friday, July 5 by Judge Ken Hayden. The case was taken under advisement by Hayden in April following a bench trial in April of this year. In his ruling, Hayden found that Skowkowski was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to court documents, Skokowski was arrested after a teacher and the director of the school said they saw him "with his face in the genital area of the victim."

The alleged abuse occurred during a bathroom break. The student Skokowski was accused of abusing can't talk and is not ambulatory. The student was 16 at the time. Skokowski was responsible for helping with seven other male students.

The Eldon Police Department and the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team investigated the incident. During questioning Skokowski denied any wrongdoing, according to the probable cause statement. The teacher and the director both signed sworn statements.

Skokowski was on leave from the facility when the charges were filed.

The school is located in Eldon. It serves students with severe disabilities from surrounding school districts. Students are referred to the school when a local district is unable to meet educational needs.